90 Years Volunteer Fire Brigade Blankenhagen

Ninety Years of the Brigade

Blankenhagen is a small village in northern Mecklenburg, about 20 kilometers from Rostock, on the edge of the Rostocker Heide – one of the largest contiguous beech and oak forests in northern Germany. As in many North German villages, the local Volunteer Fire Brigade is not just an emergency organization but also the heart of the village community: it trains weekly, operates an active youth brigade, organizes festivities, and, not least, ensures rural fire protection, far from the main stations in the city.

In 2026, the founding of the brigade will be 90 years ago. The FFW Blankenhagen was established on January 1, 1936, and thus looks back on a long history, stretching from the pre-war years through GDR times to present-day Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The brigade is part of the Rostock District Fire Brigade Association and is integrated into the operational structure with the Moringen Local Fire Brigade Association.

The Anniversary Festival on July 4, 2026

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the brigade invites you to its grand anniversary festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The program follows the proven format of a fire brigade anniversary in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, combined with elements that make the round anniversary special:

• Parade of Fire Trucks from across the region – the friendly brigades of the Amt Rostocker Heide and neighboring communities will present their fire engines
• Demonstrations – Firefighting and rescue demonstrations for the public, often with real fire objects
• Firefighting Competitions – Competitions among brigades from the surrounding area, traditionally in speed and precision
• Children's Program – Water spraying games for the youngest, climbing on the turntable ladders, face painting, tombola
• Festival Tent with Catering – Bratwurst, steak, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and cake
• Entertainment Music – DJ and/or live band from late afternoon until 10 p.m.

Why the Trip is Worthwhile

Visitors to Blankenhagen will discover a side of Mecklenburg often overlooked in the main tourist paths between Rostock-Warnemünde and the island of Rügen: rural, quiet Mecklenburg with beech forests, small farms, and an active village community. The fire brigade anniversary is a good reason to explore this region – with the authentic atmosphere of a rural festival and the opportunity to add a hiking trip into the Rostocker Heide. For Baltic Sea guests in Graal-Müritz or Rostock-Warnemünde, Blankenhagen is about a 25-minute drive away.